noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The quality of being forgetful; proneness to let slip from the mind. uncountable, usually
2. 2
   tendency to forget wordnet
3. 3
   Loss of remembrance or recollection; a ceasing to remember; oblivion. uncountable, usually
4. 4
   unawareness caused by neglectful or heedless failure to remember wordnet
5. 5
   Failure to bear in mind; careless omission; inattention. uncountable, usually

   "forgetfulness of duty"

Synonyms

All synonyms

oblivionabandonabsentmindednesscareless abandoncarelessnesscasualness

Antonyms

All antonyms

memoryrecollection

Example

More examples

"Forgetfulness and laziness are siblings."

Etymology

From Middle English forgetfulnes, forgetfulnesse, forȝetfulnesse, equivalent to forgetful + -ness.

Related phrases

bear in mind

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.